When it comes to business events, we always relate back to corporate events such as trade shows, conferences, exhibitions, product launches and corporate meetings. To simply put, it’s an organized gathering where people from various industries meet to exchange ideas, showcase their innovation or products and networking for future opportunities.

Here at Opulence Exhibition Services Sdn. Bhd, maybe we are new, but the people running behind the scene has been in the industry for more than 30 years. However, have you wondered, how did it all begin for business event industry? Let’s go back in time.

The Beginnings of Trade – Where it all began

In early days, before the world of artificial intelligence, LED screens or power points exist, early civilizations held markets and trade fairs. We’re talking about Mesopotamia civilisations, and Egypt and Rome Civilisations. Even at this stage, the markets and trade fairs were not just for commercial reasons, but their markets and seasonal trade fairs were also the centre for networking, cultural exchange and to certain extend, economic diplomacy. Their gatherings became a centre not just for buy and sell, but also to learn and collaborate, features like what modern conferences and exhibitions have today.

Moving forward to 11th to 13th century, more trade fairs, or medieval trade fairs are getting popular, notably The Champaign Fairs in Northeastern France, that usually lasted for about two to three weeks. The fairs quickly become the main catalyst in reviving economic history of medieval Europe at the time, and the start of international trade events.

The Great Exhibition - Circa 19th Century

The Great Exhibition – The First Modern Global Trade Show

The rise of manufacturing in the 1800s has caused the need for manufacturers not just to innovate, but to showcase their innovations, and this led to the first true exhibitions in the community.

The best example of this is The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, also known as the Great Exhibition, or the Crystal Palace Exhibition. It was the first in a series of world’s fairs that eventually became popular in the 19th Century.

*Side note: First public flush toilets, invented by George Jennings, was first showcased at the Great Exhibition.

The Rise of Conference in the 1900s.

With the industries getting matured, the need for knowledge sharing arises. Formal conferences, professional summits are beginning to be held all over the world. This includes corporate events, professional conferences and business summits, and to some extent, training events.

Post World War II (1950s – 1980s)

The aftermath of the World War saw countries are rebuilding to grow their economic back. During the period, business events start focusing on driving tourism and economic growth again. Large convention centres were built, and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) – Founded in 1963 and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, were formed to connect event organisers around the world.

The Digital Era (1990s -2000s) – Here Comes the Technology

This is where things get rapidly evolving. Online registrations, email marketing, or as we call it EDMs, and event websites are the talk of the town. Business events are now focusing on experiences (experiential event), blended learning, product launches with entertainment and opening gimmicks.

Covid-19 - Changes Everything

When the pandemic hit, trade shows are one of the most severely impacted, with no gatherings can be done whatsoever. Events had to be moved online, and it happened almost overnight. Virtual conferences and digital exhibitions, though less impactful, became the norm for a while and powered by platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams. When things get slightly better, Hybrid events were introduced and emerged as a new standard.

What about today?

Sustainability and inclusivity. With sustainable events are important more than ever, most exhibitions and trade shows are going towards sustainable event practices, conferences are more inclusive and hybrid events are getting more popular, connecting people from different parts of the world using technology.

*OES team at Malaysian International Cocoa Fair 2025*

As event organisers, our job is to create meaningful, memorable experiences. From doing exhibitions, to conferences, to corporate dinners and to hybrid events, we are committed to bring our best capabilities to serve your best interest.

If you are planning a conference, exhibition or any type of business event. Let’s talk. Let’s be part of the history together and our team at Opulence Exhibition Services are ready to bring your vision to life.

Footnotes & References

1. Hansen, M. H. (2006). Polis: An Introduction to the Ancient Greek City-State. Oxford University Press.

2. Kurlansky, M. (2007). The Food of a Younger Land. Penguin Books.

3. Britnell, R. H. (2002). The Commercialisation of English Society, 1000–1500. Cambridge University Press.

4. Epstein, S. A. (2001). Wage Labor and Guilds in Medieval Europe. University of North Carolina Press.

5. Auerbach, J. A. (1999). The Great Exhibition of 1851: A Nation on Display. Yale University Press.

6. Greenhalgh, P. (1988). Ephemeral Vistas: The Expositions Universelles, Great Exhibitions and World's Fairs, 1851–1939. Manchester University Press.

7. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). History of the IET

8. International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). ICCA Website

9. UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. UFI Website

10. Pine, B. J., & Gilmore, J. H. (1999). The Experience Economy. Harvard Business Review Press.

11. McKinsey & Company. (2020). The future of events: Reimagining a $1 trillion industry. Read here

12. Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). PCMA COVID-19 Resource Hub

13. Skift Meetings. (2022). The Future of Business Events is Human-Centred. Skift Meetings

14. UFI Global Exhibition Barometer Reports. UFI Research Hub

History of Business Event - A Brief Timeline